Mining machine



Apri 20, 1937. J. F. JOY WAW MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. l2, 1934 3 Sheets-Shaml l 'y A' MA/mm dafi'ilgf.

J. F, JOY

April 20, 1937.

MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 w y 0 @d @E v @A 0 w Nl a f5/@HJ uw .urll 1 Z6 VA 1 ,100 M6 .u-Hn 1 ww w M www v0 ,4U 0a o 9 o Z f1/14mm @wir Apri 20,1937. J. F, JOY 2,077,417

MINING MACHINE Filed Nov. l2, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 gb "V103 ,l Illini 50 for locking the latter Patented Apr. 20, 1937 PATET OFFICE MINING MACHIM Joseph F. Joy, Claremont, N. H., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 12, 1934, Serial No. 752,670

29 Claims.

This invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly has reference to improvements in coal mining machines of the continuous cutter, flexibly fed, floor type.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the longwall, oor cutter type. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining maw chine having improved slot forming means whereby horizontal full depth slots may be cut in the coal face in either of two superimposed planes. near the level of the mine iioor and a substantial distance above the floor level. A

15 further object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the iiexibly fed, floor type having improved slot forming means in the form of an elongated extremely narrow cutter blade pivotally mounted on a rotatable cutter head 20 and rotatable with the cutter head about the head axis into different cutting positions, and having embodied therein improved head rotating and cutter blade swinging means. Yet another object is to provide an improved floor type coal mining machine of an unusually narrow, compact design, having improved slot forming means whereby a machine of an extremely small size, much smaller than a standard heavy bar, wide kerf type cutting machine, is enabled 30 to out a full depth slot in the coal face, the

cutter blade being extremely narrow so that the slot formed by the cutter blade is of less than half the usual standard kerf width, and, due to the narrow machine Width requiring much less space at the `coal face and enabling closer roof propping to the face. A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved longwall type floor cutter having improved flexible feeding means. Still another object is to pro- .10 vide a compact and durable coal mining machine of the longwall, floor cutter type capable of being easily maneuvered and having improved slot forming means adjustable to cut superimposed, horizontal, full depth slots in the coal 45 face, in a rapid and eiicient manner.

further object is to provide in a coal mining machine of the above character, improved cutter blade mounting and adjusting means, and im 55 claims.

A stili In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved coal mining machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the coal mining machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged central, longitudinally. extending, vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central, longitudinally extending, vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view 5 5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view taken on liner 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional View illustrating the improved cutter chain adjusting mechamsm.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. l is a detail sectional view showing a portion of the feed drive.

Fig. l1 is a cross sectional View taken substantially on line Il ll of Fig. 2.

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional View taken on line |2 |2 of Fig. 11.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a coal mining machine of the continuous cutter, flexibly fed, floor type having an extremely narrow compact frame I mounted on a skid plate 2 extending beneath the frame throughout a substantial portion of its length and having a smooth bottom surface' 3 adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine oor. The frame I comprises a motor frame section 4 and a front feed frame section 5, the sections 4 and 5 being rigidly united together and rigid with respect to the bottom skid plate. A cutter head 6 is mounted on the rear end of the motor frame section for rotative movement about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine and has pivotally' mounted thereon, on an axis perpendicular to the head axis, an elongated, extremely narrow cutter blade l. Mounted beneath the front feed frame section' 5 is av feed operating member, herein in the form of a haulage drum 8, adapted to cooperate with a iiexible feeding element in the form of a wire rope or cable 9. The feedlng mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the cutter blade and cutter head for swinging the cutter blade with respect to the head and for rotating the head about its axis to position the cutter blade to cut horizontal full depth slots in the coal in superimposed planes, near the level of the mine floor at a substantial distance above the oor level.

The improved slot forming means comprises the rotatable head 6 and cutter blade 1, and this cutter head is journaled on the forward end of the motor frame section for rotation about its axis `ferent adjusted positions comprises a slidable with respect thereto on a bearing sleeve ID supported upon a cylindrical bearing support I I formed on a head member I2 suitably rigidly secured to the front motor head I3, as shown in Fig. 3. The cutter head is provided with an annular flange I4 surrounding a cooperating relatively stationary flange I5 formed on the head I2, and the cutter head is retained in position on its bearing by means of a retaining ring I6 secured, as by screws l1, to the head ange I4, the ring I6 cooperating with the flange I4 to form an annular groove I8 on the cutter head with which the relatively stationary flange I5 cooperates. The means for pivotally mounting the cutter blade 1 on the cutter head 6 comprises a blade hanger I9 mounted on a support member 28 having a bearing hub 2I journaled on bearing sleeves 22 carried by a cylindrical bearing support 23 integral with the cutter head frame. An annular member 23 carried on the lower end of the bearing support 23 cooperates with the lower bearing sleeve to retain the support member 28 in position. Integral with the support 28 is a projection 24 having secured thereto, as by screws 25, a segmental retaining plate 26, the projection 24 and plate 26 cooperating to form a groove 21 within which projects an arcuate guide flange 28 formed on the cutter head frame.

Now referring to the cutter driving means, it will be noted that the motor frame section 4 contains a motor, herein preferably of the reversible electric type, having its power shaft 29 horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine in coincidence with the cutter head axis, and the rear end of this power shaft has splined thereto at 38 a sliding clutch member 3I having internal clutch teeth 32 connectible to external Clutch teeth 33 formed on a clutch member 34 xed to a shaft 35. The sliding clutch member 3| is operated by a clutch shipper yoke 36 slidably mounted and guided on a pin 31 threadedly secured at 38 with the adjacent wall of the rear motor head I3. Engaging a slot 39 in the hub of the clutch shipper yoke 36 is a projection 48 formed on a lever 4I integral with a clutch operating shaft 42 suitably rotatably mounted in the frame of the head I2. Fixed to the shaft 42 is a hub 43 carrying a pivoted operating lever 44. For locking it in its different positions of adjustment, the lever 44 is provided with an opening 45 engageable, when the lever is swung inwardly, with locking pins 46 secured to the adjacent side of the head frame.

Again referring to the cutter blade driving means, it will be noted that the shaft 35 is alined with the head axis and is suitably journaled within the cylindrical bearing II for the head I2 and has xed thereto at its rear end a bevel gear 48 meshing with a large bevel gear 49. This gear 49 is connected through a friction slip clutch 50, set to slip upon a predetermined overload of the cutter blade, to a shaft 5I arranged with its axis coincident with the pivotal aXiS Of bh@ Cutter blade and suitably journaled in the cutter head frame. Secured to this shaft is a chain sprocket 52 adapted to engage and drive the cutter chain 53 guided on the margin of the cutter blade for circulation thereabout. This cutter chain may be of a design similar to that disclosed in my copending application Ser. No. 683,328, led Aug. 2, 1933, now Patent No. 2,048,702.

The cutter blade 1 is swingable into different positions with respect to the cutter head 6 and the means for locking the cutter blade in its diflccking pin 54 guided in a bore 55 formed within a boss 56 integral with the cutter head frame and having an operating rod 51. The outer end of this operating rod is guided in a bore 58 formed in a projection integral with the cutter head frame and the locking pin is constantly urged towards its locking position by means of a coil spring 59 interposed between the projection 58 and the outer end of the locking pin. Secured to the outer end of the operating rod 51 is a swiveled operating handle 58 engageable, when the locking pin is in its released position, with a projection 6I formed on the head frame for holding the locking pin in such released position. This locking pin is engageable with radially located openings 52 suitably spaced about the cutter blade support 20 so that when any one of these openings registers with the bore 55 the locking pin may be slid inwardly into said opening to lock the cutter blade in position. If desired the lock may be released prior to blade swing so when one of the openings registers with the bore 55, the spring l 59 will automatically move the pin into locking position.

The means for locking the cutter head in its adjusted positions about its axis comprises a locking pin 64 mounted in a bore 65 formed in the head flange I4 and having an operating rod 66 guided in the head 61 of a tubular member 68 threadedly secured to the head flange I4. A coil spring 69 interposed between the head 61 and the pin 64 normally urges the latter toward its locking position. Secured to the rod 65 is an operating lever 10. The head I 2 is provided with spaced openings 1I with which the locking pin is engageable for locking the cutter head in position, the locking pin moving automatically into locking position when the bore 55 is brought into registry with one of the openings 1 I.

Improved means is provided for adjusting the cutter blade with respect to the cutter blade support 2U and comprises parallel guideways 14, 14 formed by guide flanges 15 secured to the outer surface of the support 28; and slidably mounted in these guideways are the lateral edges of a plate 16 to which the hanger I9 is permanently secured. The plate 16 is provided with an elongated central opening 11 for permitting sliding movement of the plate 16 in its guideways with respect to the support 20, the opening I1 permitting sliding movement of the plate 18 with respect to the bearing hub 2l of the pivotal mounting for the cutter blade support. The means for adjusting the plate 16 with respect to the support 20 comprises a screw 18 mounted at 19 within a pin 88 seated in an opening 8| formed in the support 20. The screw 18 extends through an opening 82 formed in a portion 83 of the plate 16, and engaging the opposite ends of the member 83 and threadedly connected to the screw 18 are adjusting nuts 84, 84. By adjusting the nuts with respect to the screw, the plate 16 may be slid with respect to the cutter blade support to vary the position of the cutter blade with respect to the chain sprocket axis, thereby to enable a variation in the tightness of the cutter chain.

Now referring to the machine feeding means, it will be .noted that fixed to the forward end of the motor power shaft 29 is a spur pinion 86 meshing with spur planet gears 81 journaled on pins 88 carried b-y a rotatable spider 89 fixed to a shaft 99. Journaled on the hub of a bearing retaining plate 9| secured to the adjacent end wall of the motor frame and on a bearing supported by the hub of the spider 89 is a rotatable reaction member 92, the planet gears 81 meshing with the teeth of an internal gear 93 secured to this reaction member. Engaging a circumferential groove 94 formed circumferentially on the exterior periphery of the reaction member surrounding the internal gear is a. brake band 95 having suitable lever operating means 96 actuatable by an adjustable control lever 91 fixed to an operating rod 98. Secured to the rod 98 in a convenient location at the forward end of the machine is a control lever 99. By suitable adjustment of the brake band 95 the reaction member 92 may be held stationary or may be allowed to slip, as desired, thereby to provide a variable speed drive between the motor power shaft and the shaft 99. This shaft 99 is suitably journaled in the feed frame and is arranged with its axis coincident with the power shaft axis and has fixed thereto and drives a worm IDI. Meshing with the worm I9| at the opposite sides thereof are worm wheels |92 and |93 arranged on parallel vertical axes spaced equi-distantly from the longitudinal vertical center of the machine and lying in a vertical plane extending transversely of the machine. These worm wheels rotate in opposite directions and are keyed to parallel vertical shafts |94 and |95 suitably journaled in a feed frame section 5. As shown in Fig. 9, keyed to the lower end of the vertical shaft |94 is a spur pinion |96 which constitutes the terminal high speed driving pinion adapted to mesh with a large spur gear 91 secured by screws |98 to the upper flange |99 of the haulage drum 8, this drum being rotatable on a vertical axis and arranged with its lower portion in horizontal planes adjacent the top surface of the bottom skid plate 2 in a haulage drum space 9 formed in the feed frame section. Fixed to the vertical shaft |95 is a spur pinion III meshing with a spur gear ||2 iixed to a vertical shaft |I3 arranged parallel with the shaft |95 and likewise journaled in the feed frame section. Fixed to the lower end of the shaft |I3 is a spur pinion ||4 which constitutes the terminal low speed driving pinion adapted to mesh with the teeth of the drum driving gear |91. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, the hub ||6 of the haulage drum is journaled on bearing sleeves |I1 vsupported by an eccentric shaft portion |I8 of a vertical shaft ||9. The shaft ||9 is arranged with its axis offset from and parallel to the drum axis and is rotatably mounted in bearing sleeves I 29 supported by the feed frame section and bottom skid plate, respectively. Fixed to the upper end of the shaft |I9 is a hub |2| of an operating lever |22, this lever being pivotally connected at |23 to the hub |22 and swingable in a vertical direction into locking recesses |24 formed in the locking flange |25 secured to the feed frame section. This flange has three locking recesses for locking the haulage drum in its neutral, high and low speed positions. The shaft I|9 may be rotated by the lever |22 to rotate the eccentric shaft |I8 thereby to swing the drum driving gear |91 into meshing engagement with either the high speed terminal gear |96 or the low speed terminal gear I4 of the high and low speed driving means, and when the gear |91 is swung into its intermediate position, it is out of meshing engagement with both the terminal gears |96 and 4. It will thus be seen that the haulage drum may be driven at either a relatively high predetermined machine moving speed, a relatively low predetermined cutting speed and through a wide range of variable high and low speeds under the control of the planetary slip device 92, 95. Journaled on the feed frame section on vertical axes spaced equi-distantly from the longitudinal vertical center of the machine and lying in a transverse vertical plane to the rear of the haulage drum axis are guide sheaves 39, |39 for guiding the haulage cable 9 with respect to the haulage drum. The haulage cable may be extended from the haulage drum about either of these guide sheaves and extended along the coal face to a suitable anchor, and when the haulage drum is rotated to Wind in the haulage cable the machine is fed over the mine floor bodily along the coal face.

The haulage cable 9 and haulage drum are also employed for swinging the cutter blade 1 and for rotating the cutter head 6. Journaled on axes inclined with respect to the horizontal at the opposite sides of the machine frame with their axes lying in a transverse vertical plane to the rear of the rear motor head between the latter and the cutter head flange I4 are guide sheaves I 3|, |3I, while formed on the cutter blade pro- Jection 24 is an arcuate guiding groove |32, and projecting from the support 29 at spaced points are cable abutments in the form of eyes |33 each having an opening |34. When it is desired to swing the cutter blade 1 about its pivot with respect to the cutter head, the haulage cable 9 is extended about one of the guide sheaves |39, then extended rearwardly along the side of the machine frame about the guiding groove |32 and connected by a suitable hook |35 secured to the free end of the haulage cable to the opening |34 in one of the projections |33 integral with the cutter blade support 29. The locking pin 54 is then released, and upon rotation of the haulage drum 8 the haulage cable 9 is wound in to effect swinging of the cutter blade about its pivot. The cutter blade is locked in the desired adjusted position by the locking pin 54. When it is desired to effect rotation of the cutter head 6, the haulage cable is extended around one of the guidesheaves |39 rearwardly along the side of the machine around one of the guide sheaves ||6 then upwardly around a guiding groove |36 formed externally about the ange I4 of the cutter head frame and the hook |35 on the haulage cable is connected to a pin or other suitable abutment |31 secured to the cutter head frame. The cutter head locking pin 1| is then released, and upon rotation of the haulage drum 8 to wind in the haulage cable 9 the cutter head 6 is rotated about its axis. When the bore 65 is brought into registry with an opening 1I the locking pin 64 is moved automatically into locking position by the coil spring 69. It will be evident that by a rearrangement of the haulage cable with respect to the drum and the various guide sheaves the cutter blade may be swung and the cutter head rotated in the opposite direction and the machine propelled in the opposite direction.

As the operation ofa longwall coalcutting machine is well known to those skilled in the art, a description of the mode of operation of the machine is considered unnecessary other than to state that the cutter blade is swung about its pivot into sumping position beneath the coal, locked in such position and thereafter the machine is fed bodily along the coal face to effect the cutting of a horizontal slot in the coal. The machine is moved rapidly over the mine floor at a high machine moving speed during maneuvering of the machine and is fed along the coal face ata relatively low cutting speed during the cutting operation, and during either of these operations either feeding speed may be varied at will by the planetary slip control device. By the provision of a rotatable cutter head, horizoniai slots may be cut in the coal face in superimposed relation, near the level of the mine floor and a substantial distance above the floor level. These and other uses and advantages of the improved coal mining machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as -new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head te swing relative thereto, and motor operated means for rotating said cutter head, for swinging the cutter blade about its ivot, and for feeding the machine over the mine floor, said feeding means including a feeding element connectible to said cutter head and cutter blade for effecting rotation of said head and swinging of said cutter blade and connectible extraneously of the machine to effect feed of the latter.

2. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, and motor operated means for rotating said cutter head, for swinging the cutter blade about its pivot, and for feeding the machine over the mine door, said motor operated feeding means including a feeding element on the machine with which a flexible feeding element cooperates, the latter also connectible either to the head or the cutter blade to effect head rotation and cutter blade swing.

3. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on the rear end of said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing rela-v tive thereto, and motor operated means for rotating the cutter head, for swinging the cutter ','blade about its pivot, and feeding the machine over the mine floor, said feedingmeans including a feeding element connectible to said cutter head and said cutter blade for effecting rotation of said head and swinging of said cutter blade and connectible extraneously of the machine to effect feed of the latter.

4. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine iioor, a cutter head mounted on the rear end of said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine', acutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, and motor operated means for rotating the cutter head, for swinging the cutter blade about its pivot, and feeding the machine over the mine floor, said motor operated feeding means including a feeding element on the machine with which a flexible feeding element cooperates, the latter also connectible either to the head or the cutter blade to effect head rotation and cutter blade swing.

5. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine oor, a cutter head mounted on the one end of said frame and rotatable with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, and motor operated means arranged at the opposite end of the machine frame for feedingV the machine over the mine floor and including a feeding element connectible to the head and cutter blade for swinging the cutter blade about its pivot and for rotating the cutter head and connectible extraneously of the machine to effect feed of the latter.

6. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to restl upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on the one end of said frame and rotatable thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, and motor operated means arranged at the opposite end of the machine frame for swinging the cutter blade about its pivot, for rotating the cutter head and for feeding the machine over the mine floor, said motor operated feeding means including a power feeding element on the end of the machine frame opposite from the cutter head and with which a flexible feeding element cooperates, said flexible feeding element being extendible longitudinally of the machine frame for connection to either the cutter head or cutter blade to effect head rotation and cutter blade swing.

7. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, flexible feeding means for the machine including a feed operating member with which a ilexible element cooperates, and means on the machine for guiding said flexible element into a position for engagement with the cutter head, said feeding element being actuatable by said feed operating member to eiTect head rotation.

8. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine iioor, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a cutter blade pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, fiexible feeding means for the machine including a feed operating member with which a flexible element cooperates, means on the machine for guiding said fiexible element into a position for engagement with the cutter head, said feeding element being actuatable by said feed operating member to effect head rotation, and means associated with the cutter blade to which said flexible element is connectible for effecting swinging of the cutter blade.

9. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter blade on said frame, and motor operated means for feeding the machine over the mine floor including a feed operating member on said frame adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, motor operated means for effecting rotation of said feed operating member at either a predetermined high speed or a predetermined low speed and including high and lowk speed terminal driving elements rotating on axes lying in a vertical plane extending transversely of the machine, and means associated with said high and low speed driving means for effecting a variable speed during drive at either speed and including a variable speed device having a variable speed terminal driving element through which said predetermined high and low speed rotating means are driven.

10. In a coal mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine iioor, a cutter blade on said frame, and motor operated means for feeding the machine over the mine oor including a feed operating member on` said frame adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, motor operated means for effecting rotation of said feed operating member at either a predetermined high speed or a predetermined low speed and including high and low speed terminal driving elements rotating on axes lying in a vertical plane extending transversely of the machine, and means associated with said high and-low speed driving means for effecting a variable speed during drive at either speed and including a frictionally controlled planetary variable speed device having a variable speed terminal driving elementthrough which both high and low speeds are driven.

11. In a mining machine, cutting means, and feeding means for said cutting means including a predetermined high speed driving means having a terminal driving element, a predetermined low speed driving means having a terminal driving element, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, a gear for rotating said feed operating member, and means for moving said gear selectively into driving engagement with either of said terminal driving elements.

12. In a mining machine, cutting means, and feeding means for said cutting means including a high speed driving means having a terminal driving element, a low speed driving means having a terminal driving element, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible operating means, `a gear for rotating said feed operatingvmember, and means for moving said gear selectively rinto driving engagement with either of said terminal driving `elements and including an eccentric mounting means for said gear.

13. In a mining machine, cutting means, and means for feeding said cutting means including a motor having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine with its axis lying in the longitudinal vertical center of the machine, a planetary variable speed device driven by said motor and having a variable speed terminal driving element, said device arranged With its axis alined with the motor power shaft axis, a predetermined high speed gear train, a predetermined low speed gear train, said trains driven by said motor through the terminal driving element of said variable speed device, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with the flexible feeding means, and means for moving said feed operating member selectively into driving engagement with either said high speed train or said low speed train.

14. In a mining machine, cutting means, and means for feeding said cutting means including a motor having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine with its axis lying in longitudinal vertical center of the machine, a planetary variable speed device driven by said motor and arranged with its axis alined to the motor power shaft axis, a shaft coaxial with said variable speed device and driven thereby, a gear fixed to said shaft, a fast speed gear train driven by said gear, a W speed gear train driven by said gear, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with exible feeding means, and means for moving said feed .operating member selectively in engagement with said high and 10W speed gear trains.

l5. In a mining machine, cutting means, and means for feeding said cutting means including high and low speed driving gearing, each gearing having a terminal driving element individual thereto, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means and an eccentric mounting for said feed operating member whereby the latter may be moved selectively into driving engagement with said terminal driving elements.

16. In a mining machine, cutting means, and means for feeding said cutting means including a motor, a variable speed planetary device having a variable speed terminal driving element and arranged with its axis horizontal and extending longitudinally of the machine mid- Way between the sides of the machine, a high speed gear train, a low speed gear train, said gear trains driven by said motor through the terminal driving element of said variable speed device and including high and low speed terminal driving elements rotating on axes lying in a vertical plane extending transversely ofthe machine, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for` connecting said feed .operating member selectively into driving relation with said gear trains.

17. In a mining machine, cutting means, and means for feeding said cutting means including a motor, a planetary variable speed device arranged with its axis horizontal and extending` longitudinally of the machine midway between the sides of the machine, a shaft coaxial with said variable speed device and driven thereby, a worm fixed to said shaft, a high speed gear trainv including a worm wheel meshing With said worm and having a' high speedv terminal driving element, a low speed gear including a worm wheel meshing with said worm and having a low speed terminal driving element, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and a. gear connected in driving relation to said feed operating member and mounted to move selectively into driven engagement with said high and lovv speed elements.

18. In a mining machine, cutting means, and means for feeding said cutting means including a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, high speed driving means including a high speed terminal driving element, low speed driving means including a low speed terminal driving element, a driving element rotatable with said feed operating member, and means for adjusting the position of the latter to move the driving element connected thereto selectively into driven relation with either of said high and low speed driving elements.

19. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of said frame, a kerf cutter carried by said cutter head, flexible feeding means for the machine including a feed operating member on the frame and with which a flexible feeding element cooperates, and means on the machine for guiding said flexible feeding element into a position for engagement with the cutter head, said feeding element being actuatable by said feed operating member to effect head rotation.

20. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a kerf cutter carried by said cutter head, and motor operated means for feeding the machine during the cutting operation and including a feeding element alternatively cooperant directly with means extraneous to the machine to effect feed or connectible to said cutter head and actuatable then to effect head rotation.

21. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about va horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, and motor operated means for feeding the machine during the cutting operation including a feeding element which constitutes the ultimate connection between the machine and extraneous means during feeding and which is also connectible to said cutter head and said kerf cutter and actuatable to effect head rotation and swinging of said kerf cutter.

22. In a mining machine, a machine frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, flexible feeding means for the machine including a feed operating member with which a flexible feeding element cooperates, and means on the machine for guiding said flexible feeding element into .a position for engagement with the cutter head, said feeding element being actuatable by said feed operating member to effect head rotation.

23. In a coal mining machine, amachine frame, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axisV extending longitudinally of the machine, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, flexible feeding means for the machine including a feed operating member with which a flexible feeding element coopcrates, means on the machine for guiding said flexible feeding element into a position for engagement with the cutter head and said kerf cutter, said flexible feeding element being actuatable by said feed operating member to effect head rotation and swinging of said kerf cutter.

24. In a mining machine, cutting means, and feeding means for said cutting means including a high speed driving means having a terminal driving element, a low speed driving means having a terminal driving element, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, a gear for rotating said feed operating member, and means for moving said gear selectively into driving engagement with either of said terminal driving elements and including a swingable mounting means for said gear.

25. In a mining machine, cutting means, and means for feeding said cutting means including a motor having its power shaft extending longitudinally of the machine with its axis lying in the longitudinal vertical center of the machine, a planetary variable speed device driven by said motor and having a variable speed terminal driving element and arranged with its axis lying in the longitudinal vertical center of the machine, a predetermined high speed gear train, a predetermined low speed gear train, said trains driven by said motors through the terminal driving element of said variable speed device, a feed operating member adapted to cooperate with flexible feeding means, and means for mov-- ing said feed operating member selectively into driving engagement with either said high speed gear train or said 10W speed gear train.

26. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a kerf cutter mounted on said cutter head, and motor operated means for rotating said cutter head and for feeding the machine over the mine floor, said head rotating means including an annular guiding portion secured to said cutter head and said motor operated feeding means including a feeding element on the machine with which a exible feeding element cooperates, the latter connectible to said cutter head and engageable with said guiding portion for effecting head rotation.

27. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor, a cutter head mounted on said frame for rotation with respect thereto about a horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the machine, a kerf cutter pivotally mounted on said cutter head to swing relative thereto, and motor operated means for rotating said cutter head, for swinging said kerf cutter about its pivot and for feeding the machine over the mine floor, said cutter head rotating means including an annular guiding portion secured to said head, said kerf cutter swinging means including an arcuate guiding portion secured to said kerf cutter, and said motor operated feeding means including a. feeding element on the machine with which a flexible feeding element cooperates, said flexible feeding element connectible either to said cutter head or said kerf cutter and engageable with said annular guiding portion on said head or said arcuate guiding portion on said kerf cutter to effect head rotation and kerf cutter swing.

28. In a mining machine, a base adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine oor, a kerf cutter, means for pivotally supporting said kerf cutter on said base for swinging movement with respect thereto about rectangularly related axes, and flexible feeding means for the machine for moving the latter bodily over the mine oor including a rotatable actuator on said base and a iiexible element cooperating directly With said actuator and adapted for connection to an extraneous abutment, said flexible element connectible to said supporting means and actuatable by said actuator for swinging said kerf cutter about said rectangularly related axes.

29. In a mining machine, a base adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine oor, a kerf cutter, means for pivotally supporting said kerf cutter on said base for swinging movement with respect thereto about rectangularly related axes, one of which is horizontally disposed and extends longitudinally of said base, and flexible feeding means for the machine for moving the latter bodily over the mine floor including a rotatable actuator on said base and a flexible element cooperating directly with said actuator and adapted for connection to an extraneous abutment, said flexible element connectible to said supporting means and actuatable by said actuator for swinging said kerf cutter about said rectangularly related axes.

JOSEPH F. JOY. 

